Vehicular
Status - The
bicycle is defined as a vehicle. [340.01(5)] The operator of a
vehicle is granted the same rights and subject to the same duties as a driver of
any other vehicle [346.02(4)(a)]

Lane
Positioning -
Always ride on the right, in the same direction as other traffic.
[346.80(2)(a)] Ride as far to the right as is practicable (not as far
right as possible). [346.80(2)(a)] Practicable generally means safe
and reasonable. 346.80(2)(a) lists a few situations when it is not
practicable to ride far to the right.

• When overtaking and passing another
vehicle traveling in the same direction;

• When preparing for a left turn at
an intersection or driveway;

• When reasonably necessary to avoid
unsafe conditions, including fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicles,
pedestrians, animals, surface hazards or substandard width lanes [defined as a
lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and motor vehicle to travel safely side by
side within the lane].

One Way
Streets –
Bicycles on a one-way street with 2 or more lanes of traffic may ride as near to
the left or right-hand edge or curb of the roadway as practicable (in the same
direction as other traffic).[346.80(2)(b)]

Use of
Shoulders –
Bicycles may be ridden on the shoulder of a highway unless prohibited by local
authorities.[386.04(1m)]

Riding
2-Abreast –
Riding 2 abreast is permitted on any street as long as other traffic is not
impeded.When riding 2 abreast on a
2 or more lane roadway, you both have to ride within a single lane.[346.80(3)(a)]

Hand
Signals –
Bicyclists are required to use the same hand signals as motorists [346.35]. Hand
signals are required within 50 feet of your turn.It is not required continuously if you
need both hands to control the bicycle [346.34(1)(b)]

Passing– A motorist
passing a bicyclist in the same lane is require to give the bicyclist at least 3
feet of clearance, and to maintain that clearance until safely past.
[346.075]A bicyclist passing a
stopped or moving vehicle is also required to give at least 3 feet of clearance
when passing.[346.80(2)]

Use of
Sidewalks– State
Statutes allow local units of government to permit vehicles on sidewalks though
local ordinances.[346.94(1)] When bicycles are allowed to be operated
on sidewalks, bicyclists must yield to pedestrians and give an audible warning
when passing pedestrians traveling in the same direction. [346.804]At intersections and other sidewalk
crossings (alleys, driveways), a bicyclist on the sidewalk has the same rights
and duties as pedestrians.[3436.23,24,25,37,38]

Bicycling at
Night –
Bicycling at night requires at least a white front headlight and a red rear
reflector.The white front light
must be visible to others 500 feet away.The red rear reflector must be visible to others between 50 and 500 feet
away.A red or amber steady or
flashing rear light may be used in addition to the required reflector.These are required no matter where you
ride—street, path or sidewalk.[347.489(1)]

Duty to report
accident– [346.70] –
The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or
death of any person, or total damage to property owned by any one person of
$1,000 or more shall immediately give notice of such accident to the
police.“injury” means injury to a
person of a physical nature resulting in death or the need of first aid or
attention by a physician or surgeon, whether or not first aid or medical or
surgical treatment was actually received; “total damage to property owned by one
person” means the sum total cost of putting the property damaged in the
condition it was before the accident or the sum total cost of replacing such
property.This section does not
apply to accidents involving only vehicles propelled by human
power.